Rotary pump



Dec. 22, 1936. A. MADL ROTARY PUMP Filed oct. 25, 1933 Patented Dec. 22,1936 UNITED STATES ROTARY PUMP Alain Madl, Bristol, Conn., assignor toErban Operating Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication october 25, 1933, serial No. 695,144

1 o claims. (o1. 10s- 135) My invention relates in general to pumps andin particular to rotary pumps as are used for diS- tributing liquidlubricants and in one of its aspects it relates to a pump for supplyingliquid lubricants to the interior of a rotating shaft.

In the design of rotating machinery, it may become necessary ordesirable to build a pump for lubricating purposes into the system ofrotating parts rather than to depend on an Aexternally lo- A cated pump,and the design of such constructions involves many considerations, `theiirst of which i is a lack of space, and the 'second of which relates tothe problems encountered whenthe pump is driven from a shaft thedirection'of rotation l5l of which may be either direct or reverse. Thefirst requirement necessitates a` pump which is compact in design andthe second requirement necessitates a pump which will operate no matterwhat is the direction of rotation of its driving member. i

The embodiment of my invention herein disclosed is particularly adaptedfor use with a reversible -variable speed transmission employing systemsof races and rolling bodies engaging the stance, astheone shown anddescribed in my prior Patent No'. 1,999,544 of April 20, 1935, as it maybe mounted Within the casing thereof, but

it will be understood that it is not restricted to such use but is ofmore universal application, as heretofore indicated. For instance, byway of example, it would find ready and convenient application in thereversing gear casing of 1,788,108 Jacobsen of January 6, 1931.

One of the objects of my invention is therefore the provision of a pumpof such 'compact design that it may be applied in a restricted space.

,A further object of my invention is the provision of a pump adapted tobe driven from a rotating shaft no matter what its direction ofrotation, without any adjustment of the pump being 'required Wheneverthe direction of rotation is reversed.

AnotherV object of my invention is the provision of a pump of higheiiiciency and reliability and of such simplicity of construction thatthe parts are not exposed to excessive wear and the necessity forfrequent replacement, and if such replacement should be necessary, itmay be eiected 55 pump, and comprises, in general, a rotating memracesby rolling frictional contact, such, for inin a minimum of time and at aminimum of cost.

ber carrying valves of simple construction and a lcasing surrounding thesame and adapted by their joint functioning, to generate the pressurenecessary to cause circulation of the lubricating medium, and thiseffect will be accomplished no 5 .matter what the direction of rotationof the rotating member and without adjustment, manual or automatic, andit further comprises an oil circulation system adapted to supply oil tothe rotures of my invention as combined into a unitary Whole, of whichall the parts cooperate, it is to be understood that as to certainphases of the in- 15 dividual parts thereof, such parts may be used in.other combinations and relations and for other purposes, and notnecessarily in the combinations and relations and for the purposesshown.

In order to show the application of my inven- 20 tion to a practicalconstruction for the attainment of the above enumerated objects and suchother objects as will hereinafter appear or be pointed out, I haveillustrated one embodiment,l of my invention in the drawing, in which: l

Figurel is a section view of my improved pump substantially on the lineI-l of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of my pump substantially on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a 'sectional view on the line 3--3 of Figure 1, looking inthe direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 isa diagrammatic View illustrating, in 35 general form, oneapplication of my pump.

Referring to the drawing in detail it will be observed that I havetherein denoted by the `letter A the assemblyof parts constituting therotating elements of my pump, by the -letter 13 40 the assembly of partsconstituting the encasement surrounding the pump, and by the letter Cthe assembly of parts constituting the oil circulation system.

Considering rst the rotating system A it will 45 be seen that it isshown as comprising a hollow coupling member I0 designed for theoonnection to the transmission system, and to be located intermediatethe same and the load, surrounding` the coupling member, and securedthereto in any. preferred manner, as by screw Il and a sleeve I2 whichcarries the pressure generating elements. Located within the hollow ofcoupling member l0 is a distributing element I4, which is providedwithsuitable channels for the distribution of the lubricating uid to theproper points. This element is caused to rotate with the coupling memberin any suitable manner such as by key I3 and the outlet vportion therebyfor practical reasons may conveniently be made in the form of a separatedischarge nozzle I6. y

The sleeve I2 carries an annular rib I1 provided on its periphery withpockets I8 in spaced relation thereon. The annular rib I'I is flanked onboth sides by annularvrings 2l supported in iixed relation thereto, soas to form between them an annular groove. Located within the pockets I8and having their ends in sliding but liquid-tight contact with the wallsof rings 2i, are the rollers I8, which serve to generate pressure, aswill be hereinafter described.

Running inwardly from the pocket I8 are channels 22, which communicate-with holes 23 in valve seats 28 seated within bores 26 in the couplingmember I0.

The channels thus formed serve to establish communication between thepockets i8 and an annular channel 38 formed on the periphery ofdistributing member It. Passages 32 establish communication betweenchannel 38 and the inner or distributing chamber 34 of the distributingmember I4, from which the lubricating fluid is distributed to thevarious points at which it is needed. Valve members 28, shown as in theform of balls adapted to seat on valve seats 24, are normally kept inplace on their seats during the rotation of the rotating member A, bycentrifugal force and thereby serve during rotation to close the passageinthe valve seat 23.

The casing B, which would ordinarily be relainner surfaceof which iscircular, but eccentric in relationv tc the rotating member A, andcontactswith the same at one side, so that a crescent shaped space 36 isformed between the rib I'I and the ring 64. It will also be observedthat the .rings 2l engage the sides of eccentric ring 64 in liquid-tightcontact, whereby the space 36 is completely enclosed, except ashereinafter mentioned; The bearing ring 65 likewise provides a liquidtight seal between its inner surface and the rollers 20 whenthe lattercontact therewith. When the member A is rotating the rollers 20 will beurged outwardly against the eccentric ring 64 by centrifugal force, andbecause of the liquid tight seal between that roller and the eccentricring 64 and bearing rings 2l, said rollers will act as pistons tendingto push any oil located in the passage 38 in front of.

municate respectively with conduits 42 and 44` having at their lowerends inwardly opening one-way valves 46 and 48 respectively. 'I'heconstruction of `these valves is illustrated in Figure 1, and it will beobserved that the valves proper Eli and 52, are resiliently held againstaoeaooe their respective seats 54 and 66 by springs 55' and 5l. Theinlet portions of thevalves are necessarily below the level of the oilin the oil tank 58 and are so shown.

The operation of my pump will now be described. Referring particularlyto Figure 1, and assuming that the member A is rotating in acounter-clockwise direction, and considering the roller 20 that is shownlowermost in Figure 1, it vwill be observed that as the member Arotates, the Aroller 20 will be urged outwardly against the innercylindrical surface of the ring 64, and therefore will slide or rollover the portion of the ring containing the channel 48 without, however,being able to enter into or to obstruct the channel. In the meantime,the lowermost valve 28 has been pushed by centrifugal force against itsvalve seat 24, and there is therefore-no communication between thelowermost pocket I8 and the oil distributingchamber 34. As, during thecounterclockwise rotation of member A, the roller proceeds in its coursealong the inner wall of ring 68 it enters the beginning oi the crescentshaped chamber 36 until it reaches the end portion of the channel 48which is `shown as located near the beginning of the upper right handportion of Figure 1. As soon as this pointis reached, owing to theliquid-tight contact between the roller, the rings 2l and ring 64, apiston eect is produced resulting in a suction in thev channel 88 whichserves to lift oil from the tank 58 into the channel li@ and into thebeginning of the crescent shaped chamber 36. The succeeding roller 26will now act on that portion of the oil which is located in thebeginning of the crescent shaped chamber 38, and as it passes the end ofthe channel 48, it Will force this oil into the enlarged upper or middleportion of the chamber 86 and urge it counterclockwise by its pistonaction. As succeeding rollers act on the oil in a similar manner, therewill result a pressure in the enlarged upper or mid-portion of thechamber 36, located beyond the end of passage 48.

From the chamber 36 the oil may pass into the channel 88 and theleft-hand portion of chamber 36, until these spaces and the lconduit 42are filled with oil, but'since valve 46 cannot open outwardly, there isno escape for the oil in this direct 0n. On the other hand, escape ofthe oil through pockets I8 and valves 24, 28 is possible, only when theoil pressure against this valve exceeds the centrifugal eect tending topress the balls 28 against the seats 24.

When this point is reached, the pressure will force the valves inwardlyand force oil through the system of passages and channels into thedistributing chamber 34, and from there to the parts to be lubricated.This last will be the normal operation of the pump.

In the foregoing description, it has been assumed that the pump isself-starting, requiring no priming, and it will be understood thatunderup in the passage 40, even when it is lled with f air, to induceoil to enter-conduit 4 4. Should this not be possiblevarious devices maybe resorted to, such as, by way of example, decreasing the length ofconduit 44, immersing the pump in the oil tank, mounting the oil tankabove the pump so as 'to secure gravity feed into the pump ormaintaining pressure in the oil tank.

When the direction of rotation of member A is reversed, the action isexactly the same, the valve 48 in this case closing while the valve. 46opens. The pressure. is then built up on the right hand side of Figure 1instead of on the left hand side. v

A convenient adjunct to the pump, although not necessary for its properoperation isan oil gauge and for this purpose the annular'channel 68 maybe `provided in the casing 62 which has communication with thedistributing chamber 34 through the passage 62 provided in the rotatingmember A. From the ychannel 68 the `oil is allowed to pass into theconduit 10 leading to an oil gauge located at any convenient point, suchas the dash board of an automobile. Figure 4 is intended to illustratethe suggested application of my invention. A motor is shown coupledto areversible transmission and intermediate the latter and the load isinterposed a pump according to my invention. If a reversible motor isused, the pump might ofcourse with advantage be installed between themotor and the transmission, which might then be of irreversible type.

Nothing contained herein is to be interpreted as limiting the use of mypump to use in connection with reversible rotating mechanisms as it willbe obvious to those skilled in the art that because of its simpleconstruction, it may possess high utility in connection with mechanismsrotating only in one directon.

While my invention has been described and illustrated in relation to oneembodiment thereof, it will be understood that the details thereof maybe'varied, and that the invention may be embodied in many other forms,as will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art.. without departing fromthe spirit thereof as defined in the appended claims. The disclosureherein-is therefore to be considered' to be by way of illustrationmerely, and not as limitative in any way.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimas new and desire to ,secure by Letters Patent is:

-. 1. A rotary pump comprising an inner member free Vto rotate.inopposite directions and a casing surrounding said inner member andspaced therefrom except at one area of contact as the inner member isrotated, to provide a pressure chamber between it and the inner memberclosed by such area of contact, and said pressure chamber beinggenerally crescent shaped, a distributing chamber 'within said rotatingmember, a channel connecting said chambers, and an element carried; byand moving 2. A'rotary pump comprising an -inner memberfree to rotate inopposite directions and a casing surrounding said inner member andspaced therefrom except at one area of contact as the inner member isrotated, to--prcvidc a pressure chamber between it and the inner memberclosed by such area of contact, and Said pressure chamberbeing generallycrescent shaped, r distributing 'chamber within said rotating member, achannel connecting said chambers and a radially shiftable elementcarried by said inner member and automatically shiftable to positionitself so as to propel the fluid in the pressure chamber in thatdirection in which thev inner member is rotated regardless of thedirection of rotation, said element also serving automatically to closethe channel except-in a direction from in front of said element asdetermined by -the direction of rotation of said inner member.

3. A rotary pump comprising an inner member free to rotate in oppositedirections and a casing surrounding said inner member and spacedtherefrom except at one point as the inner member is rotated, to providea pressure chamber between it and the inner member closed by such -pointof contact, and said pressure chamber being generally crescent shaped, adistributing chamber.

within said rotating member and a channel connecting said chambers andan element carried by said inner member and automatically shiftable toposition itself as to propel the :duid in the pressure chamber in thatdirection in which the inner rmember is rotated regardless of thedirection of rotation, said element being also laterally movable toautomatically interrupt communicatin between the channel and thepressure chamber except in a direction from in front of said element asdetermined by the direction of rotation Qf said inner member.

4. A rotary pump comprising an inner member free to rotate in oppositedirections and a casing' surrounding said inner member and spacedtherefrom except at one area of contact as the inner member is` rotated,to provide a pressure chamber between it and the inner member closed .bysuch area of contact, and said pressure chamber being generally crescentshaped, a distributing chamber within said rotating member, a channelconnecting said chambers and an element carried by and moving with saidinner ,movement within said channel and thereby serving automatically toclose the channel except in a direction from in front of said element asdetermined by the direction of rotation of said inner member, wherebysaid elements serve automatically to propel the iiuid in the directionof rotation land through the channel, inlets to the pressure chamber atopposite sides of said point or areav of contact, and valve meansassociated with each of said inlets' permitting entrance of uidthereinto but preventing its exit therefrom, whereby when said rotatingmember rotates in ene direction, iiuid will be drawn through one of saidinlets and will be propelled through said channel and into saiddistributing chamber, while when said rotating member-rotates in theopposite direction, fluid will be drawn through the other of said inletsand will be propelled through said channels and into said distributingchamber. 5. A rotary pump comprising anl inner member fre vto rotate inopposite directions and a casing surrounding said innr member and spacedtherechamber within saidrotating member, a ychannel connectingsaid'chambers and a radially shiftable element carried by said innermember and auto-,u

matically shiftable to position itself so as to propel the uid in thepressure chamber in that direction in which the inner member is rotatedregardless of-the direction of rotation, said element also servingautomatically to close the channel except in a direction from in frontof said element as determined by the direction of rotation of said innermember, inlets to the pressure chamber at opposite sides of said pointor area of contact, and Valve means' associated with each of said inletspermitting entrance of iluid thereinto but preventing its exittherefrom, whereby when said rotating member rotates in one directioniiuid will be drawn through one of said inlets and will be propelledthrough said channel and intosaid distributing chamber while when said`rotating member rotates in the opposite direction, fluid will be drawnthrough the other of said inlets and will be propelled through:`

said-channel and intosaid distributing chamber.

6. A rotary pump comprising an innercylindrical rotatingmember having adistributing chamber therewithin, said member being sur'- rounded by acylindrical casing eccentrically po-` sitioned in relation thereto so'as to touch it at one element of its periphery and said casing and saidmember having their end surfaces in uidtight contact, wherebyI acrescent-shaped compression chamber is formed between said casing andmember, a passage in said member serving into the' distributing chamberwhen the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds the force tending toclose the valve, an inlet opening positioned on each side of saidelement of contact between the member and the casing, said inletopenings being spaced from each other, a conduit communicating with asupply of fluid lubricant associated with each inlet opening, a valveassociated with each conduit permitting entry of lubricant i into saidpressure chamber but preventing its exit.

ALAIN MADL.

